‘BIRTHRITE’ (Popcorn Frights 2024) A seriously twisted, small-town tale that terrifies.

BIRTHRITE

Director Ross Partridge brings a dark and nuanced story to Popcorn Frights 2024 audiences. When a pregnant woman inherits a country home, she and her girlfriend move in with happy expectations. But something from the town’s past looms over everyone.

Medical gaslighting, similar to Kindred, details authentic feelings of pregnant individuals, loss or not. But, BIRTHRITE‘s sinister underpinnings weave small-town history and their occult connections. The script from Patch Darragh and Erin Gann is seriously twisted. Reveal after reveal keeps you in a constant state of confusion and intrigue.

The cast is spectacular. Michael Chernus (Werewolves Within) and Owen Campbell (My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To)provide outstanding performances. Jennifer Lafleur gives Rosalie this eerie balance of loving care and dark self-interest. She steals every scene.

Juani Feliz plays Maya with a grounded love for Alice. She 100% holds her own in the everchanging emotional atmosphere. Alice Kremelberg gives Wren desperation and fear only a mother knows. It is an intense turn brimming with surprise after surprise.

Fall On Your Sword delivers a classic haunted house of dread style score. It reminded me of the opening theme song for the Nickelodeon show Are You Afraid of the Dark? BIRTHRITE mixes the chaos of pregnancy and delves into witchcraft with such complexity it makes your head spin. The film is so layered you cannot help but be captivated. This one will stick with you long after the screen goes black.